Where can a volunteer organization obtain free yarn for the items we make for the needy? (We have no budget.)?
Our group uses even small amounts (1-2 ounces) to make baby items, totes for walkers/wheelchairs, hats, mittens, afghans, shawls and more for all kinds of people in emotional, physical or spiritual need. We give the items to refer ed individuals and distribute through agencies. We don’t have a budget, and rely on donated supplies. In the last 9 years, we’ve helped over 2300 people, and our supply of synthetic yarn and woven cotton fabric is dwindling. The yarn and fabric do not have to be new. We accept leftovers from other projects, as long as it is clean. There are so many needs for these handmade items in our communities, but we must have supplies to meet them. These facts are published in our flyers, letters, label with each item made, and in anything else we can think of to get the word out. Our members ask at yard sales if people would like to donate yarn to a good cause instead of selling. We’re grateful for any help you can suggest.
That’s a great volunteer organization you have going.
You might want to place a “items wanted” ad on craigslist.org for yarn… lots of people donate stuff on there. Also make sure to check if there is anyone with yarn already listed for sale. Even if a person is asking for money, sometimes they’ll give it away to charity if they haven’t gotten any interest.
Check with your local craft stores. If they get damaged shipments of yarn (ie: the boxes were torn or the labels were somehow messed up) they might be able to donate it. Also, if your organization obtains a non-profit tax number, they can usually set you up with a gift card at least once a year so that you can buy some supplies.
Put ads in your local papers, church newspapers, senior center bulliteins, and school newsletters. You never know who might have a box in your basement.
Depending on how involved you want to get, you might also want to look into the option of getting outside help. Contact a girl scout or boy scout troop to ask for help, and they might to a yarn drive or collect money to buy yarn, because they always need community service projects.
If you contact local schools, they can usually help too. If you contact a high school, try to get in touch with their student council advisor (a teacher) or their National Honors Society advisor (again, usually a teacher). They can work with their school to either raise money for yarn purchases or hold a yarn drive where a student gets two dollars off their homecoming ticket if they bring a roll of yarn or something like that. Depending on their budget, they might also hold a dance or activivty where the only way a student can get in is if they bring a roll of yarn.
Lastly, I would say get in contact with a radio station that could give an advertisement with your groups mission and contact information. Any press can help.
You might want to consider creating an e-mail account that has your groups name or something relevant in it, so it can be easily remembered by people who want to help you. You can share the account password with the important memebers in your group.
I hope you can use some of these ideas. Good luck finding the material for your group!
Different ways to hold your hook and yarn !
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